Again, I just invited Stephenie Meyer's characters to play with mine. No infringement or disrespect is intended!

Chapter 9 A Demo and Terror

Sunday morning had us pulling into the parking lot of the plain square building housing Hale Recording Studios. Carrying our music, we entered the dim interior of the reception area. A pretty young brunette smiled up at us.

"You must be Torch, Mara and Sheri," she said. "Jasper is waiting for you in Studio1; down the hall and the first door on the left."

"Thank you," I said with a smile.

Sheri and I looked at each other and stepped to the door. This was the start of what we hoped and prayed would be a great recording career.

As we entered studio1, Jasper stood up.

"Mara," he said, walking forward, taking my hands in his and kissing my cheek. "It's good to see you again."

"You, too, Jasper," I replied with a smile.

I started to introduce Sheri, but he cut me off.

"And I finally get to meet the girl with the golden fingers," he said, kissing her fingertips.

"Oh, Mr. Hale," Sheri said with a smirk. "You are a charmer. Good thing my James isn't here. He might just have let you know that I am definitely taken"

Jasper threw his head back and laughed.

"No worry darlin'," he drawled. "My Alice would make sure I knew that, herself. You see, I'm pretty taken, too! And the name's Jasper. Mr. Hale makes me think of my daddy back in Texas."

I just shook my head at them, laughing.

"Okay, now that we know that we're all taken," I said. "Can we get down to work?"

"You're taken, Mara?" he frowned. "Does Emmett know about this?"

"Oh, he knows," Sheri snorted, bursting into hysterical laughter. "He knows very well!"

He looked from her and back to me. Then a beautiful grin spread across his face.

"That's awesome," he said hugging me. "I think you'll be good for my boy. He was hurt pretty bad by my sister and he deserves to be happy again."

"Your sister…Rosalie?" Sheri asked, shocked.

Sadness filled Jaspers eyes.

"Yeah, Rose is my sister," he replied quietly. "I love her, but she was messed up pretty bad back then…still is to a degree…and I don't condone what she did to Em, at all. He's too good a person."

Sheri snorted, as I just stood there, looking down at the floor.

"Yeah, she still needs help," she said, angrily. "She's already tried to come between Em and Mara."

"Sheri, don't," I pled. "Jasper doesn't need to know everything…she is his sister."

But, shrugging me off, she proceeded to let him know his sister's latest stunt. I saw the anger flash in his eyes.

"What the hell was Jake thinkin'?" he spat. "Damn, he's her husband, but also her therapist. Maybe it's time to find someone else for that."

"Please, Jasper," I said quietly, touching his arm. "Em knows what she's capable of and won't let her come between us. I agree that Jake should relinquish her to another therapist. He's too close to her now. I saw the pained look on his face when she watched the interaction between James and I. He was hurt and ashamed."

"Hell, he should have taken control like he did when we first took her off to his clinic," he said, running his hand through his hair. "I'm so sorry, Mara, for both you and Em."

"It's okay, sweetie," I said, rubbing his arm. "We all know that she has a problem and will deal with her."

He reached out and pulled me into his arms, hugging me tightly.

"I'm so sorry, hun," he whispered again. "I'll look into getting this taken care of."

"Thanks, Jasper," I said, kissing his cheek and stepping away. "Now, let's forget about this sadness and do what we came here to do."

Taking a deep breath, he nodded .

"Okay, show me what you've got in mind."

We settled into making the demo. He approved of our choices and, as Sheri and I worked like a well-oiled machine, it didn't take too long for us to get what we wanted on a trac. Jasper was excited by what we had done and promised to have the finished product to us the next morning.

After saying good-bye, Sheri and I were quiet on the way home. She was dropping me off, and then going home to James.

We sat for a few minutes in silence after she pulled into my driveway.

"I think that things are gonna start changin', Sher," I said softly. "Are we ready for this?"

"Oh, hell yeah," she said grinning. "It's time to step out of our comfort zone."

Then she took my hand and, squeezing it, smiled.

"Mar," she said. "Our circumstances may change, but the love and friendship we have never will. We are family, but chosen family. I think that makes us even closer than blood. James and I will always be here for you, just like I know that you will be for us."

I pulled her into my arms.

"You've got that right, sweetie," I whispered to her. "we've been through the bad, together, and now we'll go through the good. It's time for us to get a break. Thanks to Emmett we are."

"Yeah," she said, pulling back, her eyes twinkling. "Now, you go inside and call that awesome man of yours. I'm sure he's waiting to hear from you."

"I know he is," I replied opening the car door and climbing out., leaning down to look back in at her. "You go celebrate with James, he deserves this, too! Hug him for me."

She smiled at me and put the car in reverse as I closed the door. I watched until she turned the corner and turning, let myself into my house.

As soon as I entered, I knew that something was wrong. My pictures on the fireplace mantle had been moved and the books in the bookshelf had also been disturbed.. I began to tremble as I slowly walked toward the bedroom, gasping at the destruction there.

The bedding on the bed had been shredded with what appeared to be a sharp knife or scissors. The cart that had held the laptop had been turned over and broken, the laptop thrown across the room. Articles of my clothing had been taken from the closet and strewn around the floor, some of them shredded just like the bedding. The drawers of my dresser and chest had been pulled open and the clothes there thrown on the floor as well.

The easy chairs in the sitting area had their cushions torn and were turned over. The lamp that sat on the reading table was smashed against the wall.. The bathroom hadn't been spared. The mirror over the vanity had been smashed and my toiletries shoved to the floor. On the shower door, in bright red lipstick were the words "He's Mine, Bitch!"

I still had my purse in my hand and I sat on the closed toilet seat and took out my cell. I was shaking so hard, tears of terror flowing down my face, as I tried to focus on the numbers stored there. EMMETT! My mind was screaming and I pressed his number. It went to voice mail and I whimpered.

"Em," I whispered through my tears. "I…I…I need you, b, b ,baby. P, p, please c,c,call m,m,me! Oh p, p, please."

Next I called Sheri and James.

"Hey, Mara," James' voice smiled. "Congra…"

"James, please c, c, come, q, q, quickly," I wailed.

"Mara, what's wrong, honey?" he asked worriedly. "What's happened? Mara?"

"S, s, someone's been here," I whispered, shock beginning to set in.

I could hear Sheri in the background asking what was wrong.

"They've trashed my home," I whispered, my teeth chattering. "I need you!"

Sheri was on the phone to the police.

"We'll be right there, honey," he said with authority. "Don't touch anything, we're on our way, okay? We're coming."

I heard the phone disconnect. I went back into the bedroom and looking around I began to scream. That was how Sheri and James found me.

Suddenly strong arms were around me and James led me into the living room, seating me on the couch. Sheri was immediately beside me enveloping me in her comforting arms.

"We're here, honey," she crooned in my ear. "James and I are here and the police are on their way."

I could hear the distant sirens getting closer and began to whimper.

"Who, and why?" I whispered.

"I think I know," she replied tersely. "It had to b…"

"We don't know that for a fact, J," James interrupted. "Let's not speculate until the police have completed their initial investigation."

"But, you know…" she started again until he gave her a look, telling her to hold off.

I was still sitting stiffly, my phone clenched so tightly in my fist it was starting to squeak with the sound of cracking plastic.

"Emmett," I whispered.

Sheri pried it from my fingers and pressed Emmett's number. After four rings, it went to voice mail. She grimaced and turned back to me.

"He must still be on set, filming, sweetie," she said softly, caressing my hair. "I'm sure that he'll call as soon as he can. After the police leave, you'll come home with James and I."

I looked up at her and, smiling wanly, nodded, just as there was a knock at the door.

Four police officers came in the door, followed by a detective and a CSI team. James met them at the door and led the officers into the bedroom. The detective approached me and squatted before me.

"Ms Brannigan, I'm Det. Kramer," he said. "I'd like to ask you a few questions if I may."

Sheri took my hand as I nodded to him.

"First of all," he said, taking out a small notebook and pen. "Are you hurt in any way? Were the perpetrators still here when you arrived? Tell me what happened when you came in."

"No," I said quietly. "I'm fine, just a little shaken. And no, they were gone when I Came in, but I noticed right away that some of my pictures and books had been disturbed. I became afraid and slowly went into the destruction that is now my bedroom and bath. The words on the shower door sent me over the edge and I called my boyfriend, but couldn't reach him. Then I called Sheri and James, and she called you."

"Did you disturb anything, pick up anything?" He asked, scribbling in the notebook.

"No, James told me not to," I replied.

He nodded.

"Now, I have to ask you some personal questions," he said. "Is that okay?"

I nodded.

"Do you know of anyone that may want to harm you in any way?" he asked. "Anyone that has a grudge against you, no matter how insignificant it may seem?"

I looked down at my hands and back up, over at Sheri, trying to let her know that I didn't want Emmett's name brought into this. She narrowed her eyes and sighed. Det. Kramer watched it all.

"Ms. Brannigan," he said. "If you want to get this cleared up and the perpetrators apprehended, you must tell us everything."

"Go on, honey," Sheri said, placing her arm around my shoulders. "Em will understand."

"Em?" he asked.

"Emmett McCarty, " I replied. "We've been seeing each other for about six weeks."

"The actor, Emmett McCarty?" He asked in surprise. "You think he did this?"

"Oh no!" I cried, tears filling my eyes. "No, he would never…he's in Toronto, filming."

"Then who do you think it could be?"

"His ex-girlfriend, maybe, Rosalie Hale." I whispered. "She's the only one I can think that might want to hurt me."

"Has she done anything like this before?"

"No, not like this," I whimpered, the tears beginning to spill down my cheeks.

"What has she done?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn't. I turned and sobbed into Sheri's chest. She rocked me gently, stroking my hair, and quietly told the detective what had transpired the previous Friday night.

As she finished speaking, the officers and CSI team filed into the living room. Detective Kramer rose to speak to them quietly

"We got lots of prints on the shower door, the teacart and the laptop." the investigator said. "It'll take a while to go through so many, but hopefully there'll be a few clear ones."

He nodded and gathered up his equipment and went out the door.

"I ask that you not touch anything here and go to stay elsewhere while this investigation continues," Detective Kramer said, coming back over to us. "This is now a crime scene and will be cordoned off as such."

"Of course," James said coming back into the room. "She'll be with us. We'll take care of her."

"Do you have a number where I can reach you?" the detective asked.

He James exchanged numbers and telling us that he'd keep us apprised of the investigation, he left with his team and we were alone.

"Come on, sweetie," Sheri said. "Let's get you out of here. Don't worry about clothes, we'll shop tomorrow and get you some new ones."

For a moment, I looked sadly around at my things, and then I picked up my purse and followed, James and Sheri out to their car.

"Oh, wait," I said turning, back. "My cell phone…"

Sheri held up her hand and held it out to me.

"Couldn't leave it behind," said, smiling. "He's bound to call soon."

"Thanks, sweetie," I said, taking it from her. "I don't know what I would do without you two."

"Well, you don't ever have to worry about that," James said hugging me close, drawing his wife into the hug. "Not ever."

We climbed into the car and went to their home.

James called Demitri to let him know what had happened and he said that he'd probably close the club for the night. He just hoped that I was all right.

Sheri called out for Chinese food and after a soothing bath, I curled up into the bed in their guest room, the sleeping pill that she had given me, quickly taking effect.

So it was that I was asleep when my phone that I had left in the living room finally rang. Sheri answered it

"Emmett!"

"Mara, sweetness," he cried worriedly. "What is going on, what's the matter? "

"It's Sheri, Emmett," She replied softly. "Mara's fine. We brought her here to our house and she's sleeping now."

"Sleeping…why is she at your house?" he asked, confused. "Don't you have a show in half an hour? What the hell is going on?"

"Calm down, Em," Sheri replied. "It's been quite a day. After recording the demo, I dropped Mara off at her house and came home. I had just gotten in and told James how well it went, when the phone rang. It was Mara and she was hysterical."

"Why, what happened?" he asked quietly.

"Someone broke into her house and destroyed much of the bedroom and bathroom." She explained. "She tried to call you and when she couldn't reach you, she called James and me. The police have been there and cordoned off the house as a crime scene. The thing that has her scared, Emmett, is the message written on the shower door in red lipstick."

"Oh, God," he groaned. "What did it say?"

"He's Mine, Bitch" She relied angrily. "I think Rose did this, Emmett. It has her written all over it.

"Couldn't be, Sheri, " he said, bile rising in his throat.

"And why not?" She growled at him. "She's a psycho and you know it! Why are you defending her?

"Because she and Jake are sitting right here, with me," he replied.

Sheri gasped and glanced at the closed guestroom door.

"Then who?" she whispered. "And why?"

"I don't know," he said forcefully, "But I intend to find out. Now, I want you to get Mara on the next flight to Toronto, I'll pay for it, so make it first class. I have four more days here and I don't want her there alone."

"She's not alone, Emmett! "Sheri said indignantly. "We've taken care of her before and we will now!"

"I know that, sweetheart," he said apologetically. "But anyone trying to get to her, might just trace her to you. I don't want her in the city without me. As a matter of fact, why don't you and James come, too? It will ease my mind, not to mention Mara's."

"We have a commitment to the club, Emmett," She replied. "We can't just up and leave."

"I'll have my sister Alice call Demitri,' he said, after a moment. "She has a friend that can fill in for you. She's got her own pianist…not as good as you…and she's got a good voice and style."

"I'll have to clear it with James," Sheri said thoughtfully. "He has a job to consider."

"Whatever you have to do, Sheri, get her on the earliest flight to me," he said. "I won't rest 'til I can hold her in my arms. Please, do this for me."

"I'll call you with the flight details," she sighed. "Goodnight for now."

"Thanks, honey," Emmett said. "I consider it an honor to call you and James friends. You've taken care of my love and brought her into my life. I want to keep her and you two here."

I opened the guest room door and stood looking at her as she turned around and saw me. She smiled.

"Emmett," she said into the phone. "Would you like to speak to Mara? She's standing here?

"Yes!" he replied, "Please."

She held out the phone to me and I took it.

"Emmett," I whispered, dropping down onto the couch, tears filling my eyes. "Baby, I need you!"

"Sweetness?" The sweetest voice came through the phone. "Babe, are you all right?"

"Yes, Emmett," I replied tremulously, my voice raspy from the hysterical crying I'd done. "Now that I can talk to you, I'm okay"

There was a moment of silence. Sheri smiled at me and went into the kitchen where James was on the phone making flight arrangements.

"Why, Em? Why did she do this?" I whispered raggedly. "I've never done anything to her, except love you."

"Babe, it wasn't Rose," he said quietly. "She and Jake have been here with me all day. They arrived early this morning."

"What?" I cried. "What are Jake and Rose doing there?"

"They came to apologize," he replied. "They were on their way to the airport, with the intension of seeing you upon their return, when I realized that my phone was turned off. When I got your frantic call and panicked, they decided to stay and find out what had happened."

"If it wasn't Rose, then who…and why?" I whispered. "What have I done to cause this? Why do bad things keep happening to me?"

I began to weep.

"Oh, Mara," he replied, taking a deep breath.

"I need you, baby," I whimpered. "I'm so scared and feel so violated. Sheri and James were there immediately, after I called them, but I wanted you."

"I know," he moaned. "I want to be there, sweetness. Damn, I hate this!"

"It's okay," I said sadly. "I know you'd be here if you could. But, after last weekend, you can't take any more time off. I'll be fine."

"It's not okay, damn it," he cursed angrily. "I've got a few more days here and I want you and the Connerys to get on the next available flight up here."

"Oh, Em," I whimpered. "You know I can't, we've got the shows to…"

"Alice will get a replacement for you," he interrupted. "I'll call her as soon as we're finished. No problem."

"But James has…"

"If his studio has a problem with him leaving for a week, I'll talk to my dad. He'll find him a place at Cullen Studios," he said. "I want you here, where I can be sure you're safe."

"Baby, I love you," I whispered, closing my eyes. "I need you so badly. I need to feel your arms around me, your body pressed to mine and your lips caressing mine."

I heard murmurs and the receding sound of footsteps in the background.

"Oh, Mara, me, too, babe, he replied huskily. "So get on that plane. I won't rest until you're in my arms and safe."

"Okay," I said. "I'll let you know when to expect us."

Sheri came back into the room and waved her hand in front of my face.

"I think that Sheri wants to talk to you, baby," I said. "I'll call you later. I love you."

"I love you, too," I answered and handed the phone to Sheri.

"Hey, Emmett," she said. "Our flight is booked and we'll be arriving in Toronto at three o'clock am. James isn't coming until the weekend; he's in the middle of a project, but I'll get our girl there safely."

She reached out and took my hand.

"Thanks for the card number, we really appreciate it."

"You're family, honey," he responded. "And I take care of my family."

"Thanks," she said tearfully. "You really are a good man, Emmett McCarty."

She handed the phone back to me.

"I'll see you in a few hours, baby," I said. "I love you."

"Love you, too, sweetness," he replied, softly. "Be safe."

I closed my phone and sat there with it pressed to my lips. With a sigh, I turned to follow Sheri into James' and her Bedroom, where she was packing her suitcase and a small one for James' weekend use.

"Oh, shit!" I wailed, beginning to cry again.

"What, sweetie?" Sheri asked anxiously, folding her arms around me.

"I don't have any clothes to pack," I whimpered. "Everything I have has been sealed up in the house."

She patted my back and smiled tenderly, dabbing at my cheeks with a tissue.

"That's why we're going to the club to pack you some of the things you have there," she said. "Good thing there are quite a few outfits there, as well as undies and shoes."

I just smiled at her sadly.

We had just picked up the bags and headed for the door, when the bell rang. James answered and Alice ran in, enveloping me in her tiny arms. Jasper followed at a slower pace.

"Oh, Mara," she cried, hugging me tightly. "Are you okay? Em called and we came right over. Don't worry about the show; I can get someone at a moments notice."

"That won't be necessary," Sheri said, extending her hand to Alice, who waved it away and wrapped her tiny arms around her.

"You must be Sheri of the "golden fingers" fame," she trilled. "I'm Alice, Em's sister, and why don't I need to get you a fill in?"

Sheri shook her head and grinned.

"Yes, that would be me," she said with a chuckle. "Dimetri called and has decided to do the Christmas remodel early, so the club will be closed for a week. Although he's sorry and concerned for Mara, this is a good time for him to get things done."

"Well, that's good, then," Alice replied.

Jasper and Alice offered to drive us to the club to pick up some clothes for me, and then on to the airport. They would bring James back home.

When we pulled up to the back door of the club, it was crawling with police, reporters and paps.

Knowing how fragile my emotions were at this point, Sheri made me stay in the car with Jasper and Alice. She and James made their way inside and fifteen minutes later they returned, sans my suitcase.

"What's happened?" I asked anxiously as she slid into the back seat with me, James on the other side.

Jasper started the car and pulled out onto Wilshire Blvd, heading for the airport.

She turned to me and grasped my hand tightly.

"Looks like you visitor came here, too," she said, squeezing my fingers. "She did the same kind of damage to our dressing room; destroying some of our gowns and smashing the place up. Again, it's a crime scene and nothing can be taken from the premises. It's a good thing that we had your passport in our safe at home. We'll just have to get you some clothes when we arrive in Toronto. Well…maybe the next day, as I doubt you'll be needing clothes until then, at the earliest."

"Sheri!" I exclaimed, feeling the blush heating my cheeks.

Alice turned around from the front seat and grinned at me.

"Don't worry sweetie," she said with an excited bounce. "I'll see to your clothes, you just have a beautiful reunion with my big brother. You both deserve it."

"Thanks, Alice," I said, squeezing her hand and turning back to Sheri. "What's going to happen now, with the club I mean?"

"Well, since Dimetri was going to close for the week anyway, it'll make it a lot easier for the investigators," she said. "The dressing room wasn't scheduled for a remodel and has been cordoned off; they'll be able to get a thorough dusting of fingerprints there and at your house."

"Oh, Charlie," I said, remembering my landlord. "Someone has to tell him what's going on, he'll be having fits!"

"I'll call him as soon as I get home, honey," James said with a smile. "Don't worry about it."

"I hope this woman gets caught soon." Sheri sighed, leaning back against the seat.

"She will, J," James said, soothingly. "Unless this woman is a pro, it shouldn't take long for the CSI team to narrow the prints down. We know that all of our prints are there…as well as Emmett's, Dimetri's and Felix's. Anyone else's can be compared to any unusual prints at the house. They'll get her, baby. I promise both of you."

"Thanks, darlin'," I whispered. "You are my second love, y'know?"

"Yeah?" he said with a smile. "Just don't tell the big guy that, okay? I think J likes my face just the way it is."

We all laughed as we pulled up to the airline's door at the LAX terminal. After checking in and getting our boarding passes, we headed to security.

As I started to follow Sheri past the gate, Jasper touched my arm.

"Mara," he said seriously. "I want to apologize for Rosalie's behavior. I know that she's not well, but I'm relieved that she didn't have anything to do with this. She is capable of doing so and…well…I'm just glad she hasn't."

"Jasper," I said, touching his cheek. "You don't have anything to be sorry for. And I, too, am glad that she's innocent in this. Thanks for caring, though."

I said goodbye to Alice with a hug and promised James that I'd take care of his J. Then after another hug t him, I hurried after Sheri.

Shortly we were on the plane, headed for Toronto.

After settling into our seats, I laid my head back and stared out the window at the terrain speeding by as we taxied down the runway. Soon we were climbing into the sky. I closed my eyes.

"Oh, Em," I thought to myself. "Who could be doing this?

A/N: Who do you think the intruder is? Rosalie or someone else?

Please hit the little white review square down below and tell me what you think.